President John Dramani Mahama has called for a national stakeholder engagement on the growing incidence of hate speech, abusive language and other harmful content on social media and emerging digital platforms.
In a letter dated September 22, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, the President requested the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to jointly convene the engagement.
The proposed dialogue is expected to bring together key stakeholders to develop a national roadmap that protects freedom of expression while ensuring appropriate responses to genuinely harmful or unlawful digital content.
The Presidency noted that Ghana’s media environment has changed significantly, with public discourse increasingly shaped not only by traditional media organisations but also by bloggers, content creators, influencers and users of platforms such as TikTok.
According to the Presidency, many of these actors command significant audiences and influence but may not operate under recognised editorial standards or established accountability mechanisms.
It said the development presents a public policy challenge, particularly in addressing hate speech, threats, incitement and other unlawful conduct without undermining legitimate criticism, political commentary, satire and dissent.
President Mahama is also concerned about what he described as disproportionate arrests over mere criticism or politically charged commentary.
The Presidency said such actions could be counterproductive, create “undeserving martyrs” and undermine public confidence in state institutions.
The MFWA and GJA have therefore been asked to lead a broad stakeholder process involving the National Media Commission, Ghana Police Service, religious bodies, civil society organisations, traditional media organisations, content creators, bloggers and influencers.
Legal and human-rights experts, representatives of digital platforms, as well as relevant state regulatory and security institutions are also expected to participate.
The engagement is expected to examine the adequacy of Ghana’s existing legal, regulatory and institutional framework and clarify the distinction between lawful criticism and unlawful speech.
It will also consider practical guidelines for law-enforcement agencies and recommend appropriate policy, legislative, regulatory and non-legislative measures.
The Presidency further wants the process to address public education, media and digital literacy, professional and ethical standards for online content creators, accessible complaints and redress mechanisms, and alternatives to arrest and prosecution in cases that do not involve threats, incitement, violence or other clearly criminal conduct.
The MFWA and GJA have been requested to submit a proposed framework and timetable for the stakeholder engagement, together with recommendations arising from the process, for the President’s consideration.
